File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CODE OF CONDUCT CHANGES

Changes to municipal code of conduct on track for implementation before next election: province

Aug 22, 2025 | 4:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Over the past week, the City of Kamloops has published a report into a fourth code of conduct breach by Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and a letter sent to the mayor by council just over a month into the current term regarding potential issues around conflict of interest.

While the opinions around the issues differ for each side and their supporters, it showcases the continued dysfunction at city hall in Kamloops, with the team around the horseshoe serving as the potential impetus for provincial change.

After multiple substantiated code of conduct breaches, workplace misconduct investigations and conflict of interest issues in Kamloops, the provincial government is looking into changes at the legislative level.

“The reality is most local governments around the province are working really well together. They have trust from residents. They are able to get things done,” B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle said to CFJC Today this week.. “And we want to make sure we are creating support for those councils where that is not the case, so we can rebuild that trust.”

ONE MAN'S OPINION

COLLINS: There is no disgrace in being cheesy once in a while

Dec 07, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

Dec 04, 2025

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

Minister Boyle recently took over the file from Ravi Kahlon and noted the work to craft legislation around strengthening codes of conduct is ongoing.

“(We’re) exploring three proposed models for updating codes of conduct, including a mandatory code of conduct,” said Boyle. “Local governments have had an opportunity to provide some feedback on that already and we will engage further with local government in the coming months to make sure we are hearing feedback from them on these options.”

It’s an issue that should be non-partisan, with the BC Conservatives agreeing that changes are needed to help municipal governments run smoother.

“I really like the idea of not leaving it to the individual municipalities to do that,” said Fraser-Nicola MLA and Municipal Affairs Critic Tony Luck. “The smaller cities are struggling with so much right now, and this is something, that — yes, it’s a nice thing to have but they just don’t have the time. They are struggling with their budgets, so I’m really happy that Minister Boyle is bringing this forward and working through this, and hopefully we will embed it in the Community Charter so it’s consistent among all municipalities.”

Currently, the work being done by the NDP does not include a recall mechanism for mayors or councillors, but Boyle didn’t completely shut that door.

“Lots of options and tools on the table. Recall isn’t currently one of them but that’s what the feedback and discussion period is for, to make sure we are looking at options that local government tell us would make a difference for them,” said Boyle.

“We want to make sure the process is right if we are going to do something like that because we don’t want to be triggering recalls every six months because somebody said ‘Boo’ to somebody,” added Luck. “I think the process would have to be right to make sure we got that recall legislation in there. But certainly we should have the discussion, be ready for that and see what that would look like moving forward and be prepared to be able to answer the questions properly.”

The minister stated the government is still on track to introduce the changes ahead of the next local election, scheduled for October 2026.